We’re coming to Center City!

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On October 1, West Philly’s beloved Green Line Cafe will take over the operation of Cafe Loftus at 15th and Moravian in Center City.

Cafe Loftus proprietor Chris Gabello has had a longstanding friendship with Green Line Cafe proprietors Daniel Thut and Douglas Witmer since his days operating his original cafe location in Powelton Village. The move comes as Gabello’s commercial photography studio has grown rapidly over the past few years, requiring more and more of his attention.

Gabello said, “Knowing the Green Line over the years, and Dan and Douglas’s commitment to independent coffee and the creative community, they were the obvious first choice for me when I thought about who I’d like to see keep a cafe operation going in that spot.”

For the Green Line Cafe, the foray into Center City comes just as they begin to celebrate 10 years in business. The first Green Line Cafe opened across from Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore Avenue in January 2003, and instantly became the neighborhood’s community hub. As a family-owned business, they currently operate 3 cafe storefronts in West Philadelphia as well as a coffee kiosk inside the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Green Line does not plan extensive physical changes to the current Cafe Loftus space. Loftus has already been serving Green Line’s signature grab-n-go sandwiches for the past 6 weeks, including the popular vegan marinated tofu sandwich known as “The Steve.” The main product change will be the coffee itself, with Green Line brewing certified organic and fair-trade coffees roasted by Equal Exchange. The food offerings on the menu will expand over the coming months as well to include most all of the grab-in-go items the Green Line Cafe produces daily from its commissary kitchen. Current Green Line patrons in West Philly will also be able to use Green Line gift cards and collect and redeem loyalty points through Lokalty at the Center City location.

Green Line Cafe co-owner Douglas Witmer said, “Obviously, we’re super excited to bring the Green Line to Center City. Over the years we’ve developed a reputation for being a positive, community-oriented place with great coffee and a great vibe and we think it’s going to be a terrific fit for 15th and Moravian.”